Latest news with #KevinMaki
Fox News
4 hours ago
- Health
- Fox News
Controversial seed oils may offer unexpected health benefits, new research shows
Amid MAHA-inspired efforts to reduce ultraprocessed food consumption, seed oils have come under tough scrutiny in recent months — but a new study suggests they may not be all bad. Researchers from the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington found that linoleic acid — a common omega-6 fatty acid found in a variety of seed oils — could help reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Linoleic acid is found in seed oils such as soybean and corn oil, as well as plant foods, according to a press release from the American Society for Nutrition. "There has been increasing attention on seed oils, with some claiming these oils promote inflammation and raise cardiometabolic risk," said Kevin C. Maki, Ph.D., adjunct professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington and chief scientist at Midwest Biomedical Research, in the release. "Our study, based on almost 1,900 people, found that higher linoleic acid in blood plasma was associated with lower levels of biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk, including those related to inflammation." While previous studies have explored the link between linoleic acid and cardiovascular risk factors, this latest research used "objective biomarkers" instead of relying on participants' self-reported dietary habits, according to Maki. "We also measured a range of markers of inflammation and indicators of glucose metabolism," he noted. People with higher levels of linoleic acid were found to have lower levels of glucose, insulin and markers of inflammation, the researchers found. "We saw consistent results across the different biomarkers measured," Maki said. "People with higher levels of linoleic acid in their blood tended to have a healthier overall risk profile for heart disease and diabetes." The findings were presented at NUTRITION 2025, the flagship annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition that was held May 31-June 3 in Orlando — although the results were preliminary. "Abstracts presented at NUTRITION 2025 were evaluated and selected by a committee of experts, but have not generally undergone the same peer review process required for publication in a scientific journal," the release stated. "As such, the findings presented should be considered preliminary until a peer-reviewed publication is available." Based on the findings, the researchers called for additional study to confirm whether greater intake of linoleic acid intake reduces the chances of heart attacks, stroke and type 2 diabetes, the release stated. The team also aims to determine the impact of specific types of oils. Michelle Routhenstein, a New York-based registered dietitian who specializes in heart disease, was not involved in the study but shared reaction to the findings. "As a cardiovascular dietitian, I think this study reinforces what evidence has long suggested: Seed oils are not harmful — in fact, they may be protective of cardiometabolic health," she told Fox News Digital. "By using blood biomarkers, the research shows that higher linoleic acid levels are linked to lower inflammation and better cardiometabolic health." "This study supports including seed oils, used in appropriate amounts, as part of a heart-healthy diet." Routhenstein noted that linoleic acid has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and support healthy cell membranes. "It is also associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers like CRP (C-reactive protein)," she said. "These biological effects help explain its cardiometabolic benefits." "This study supports including seed oils, used in appropriate amounts, as part of a heart-healthy diet." In a Dec. 2024 study published in the medical journal Gut, the plant-based cooking oils — which are often used in processed, packaged foods — were linked to an increased risk of colon cancer, although dietitians pointed to limitations. For more Lifestyle articles, visit Meanwhile, California chef and restaurant owner Andrew Gruel has shared his staunch opposition to seed oils in interviews with Fox News Digital, saying the "switch away from seed oils shows this movement is here to stay." "People have researched the effects of seed oils, tried the alternatives and are now demanding their favorite brands make the switch," Gruel said. Sherry Coleman Collins, a food allergy dietitian and expert from the Atlanta metropolitan area, suggested the cautions about seed oils may be exaggerated, but did recommend choosing wisely. In terms of cooking oils, Collins recommended using olive oil, noting there's a "significant body of evidence" for its use as part of a Mediterranean approach to eating. "Extra-virgin olive oil can be a wonderful, versatile oil to use in low-medium heat cooking. It tastes great and has a very good fatty acid profile," she previously told Fox News Digital. "For higher-heat cooking, I like avocado and peanut oils for their high smoke point and neutral flavor, and they, too, have good fatty acid profiles." Fox News Digital reached out to the Indiana University researchers for comment. Peter Burke of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Controversial ‘unhealthy' food can actually prevent heart disease and Type 2 diabetes: study
Has everything we know gone to seed? For years, wellness influencers and nutrition gurus have waged war on a common cooking oil, treating it like a toxic product better suited among your cleaning supplies than your kitchen gear. But a new study — presented at this year's annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition — has planted a seed of doubt in this well-trodden conviction. The findings suggest that people with high levels of linoleic acid actually have a lower risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, thanks to reduced inflammation. Since linoleic acid is found in seed oils — which are derived from the seed of a plant, such as sunflower, canola and sesame — this association seemingly tramples the widespread belief they are 'bad' for you. 'There has been increasing attention on seed oils, with some claiming these oils promote inflammation and raise cardiometabolic risk,' Kevin C. Maki, adjunct professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, said in a statement. 'Our study, based on almost 1,900 people, found that higher linoleic acid in blood plasma was associated with lower levels of biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk, including those related to inflammation.' While these results align with previous research, this study was based on bloodwork, meaning that it makes a stronger argument than observational evidence. 'Although other studies have assessed relationships between linoleic acid and cardiometabolic risk factors, our study used objective biomarkers rather than diet records or food frequency questionnaires to assess linoleic acid intake,' said Maki. 'We also measured a range of markers of inflammation and indicators of glucose metabolism.' He noted they tested for other inflammation biomarkers and consistently found that 'people with higher levels of linoleic acid in their blood tended to have a healthier overall risk profile for heart disease and diabetes.' Experts, meanwhile, are increasingly chiming in to say that seed oils aren't as unhealthy as some might have you think. 'Seed oils are objectively quite healthy, in that they're typically low in saturated fats,' said Kerry Beeson, a nutritional therapist at Prep Kitchen. 'There is some concern over the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 in these oils, with much higher levels of omega-6 present, potentially connected to inflammation,' Beeson previously told reporters. 'However, there is no strong evidence that high levels of omega-6 are associated with disease.' Still, since seed oils are already so widespread in what we consume — from processed food to dressing to takeout — Beeson can see the argument for opting for something else in the kitchen. 'Aim to eat a wide variety of healthy fats in your diet, avoid eating lots of processed foods, don't rely too heavily on seed oils in cooking — try incorporating other oils like coconut and olive oil — and eat plenty of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, from oily fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds or walnuts,' she said.
Medical News Today
01-06-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
Seed oils: Omega-6 fatty acids may lower diabetes, heart disease risk
Higher linoleic acid levels may help lower heart disease and diabetes risk, a new study finds. JavierCardiometabolic health is a gauge of the fitness of the body's cardiovascular and metabolic systems. Poor cardiometabolic health may increase a person's risk for cardiometabolic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes . . Lifestyle factors such as diet can also impact a person's cardiometabolic health. Two new studies recently presented report that consuming a diet higher in linoleic acid, or omega-6 fatty acids, may help support cardiometabolic health, and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 'Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases — mainly heart attack and stroke — are the leading cause of death in the U.S.,' Kevin C. Maki, PhD, adjunct professor in the School of Public Health-Bloomington at Indiana University and chief scientist at Midwest Biomedical Research told Medical News Today . 'Type 2 diabetes is very common — about 10% of the adult population — and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as well as other issues such as kidney failure.' 'It is well accepted that lifestyle — diet, physical activity, smoking, sleep , etc. — is important for the development of these cardiometabolic disorders,' Maki continued. 'Lifestyle modification is the cornerstone of efforts to minimize cardiometabolic risks. We have a large body of evidence to demonstrate that lifestyle interventions can improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.' Maki is the lead author of two new studies recently presented at the American Society for Nutrition's annual meeting, NUTRITION 2025, which has found that consuming a diet higher in the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid may help support cardiometabolic health, and lower a person's risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. For these studies, researchers analyzed medical data from 1,894 adult participants of an observational study focused on COVID-19. Study participants had an average age of 50, an average body mass index (BMI) of 29, and more than half identified as female and non-Hispanic White. Scientists focused on the amount of linoleic acid found in the serum in the blood of all participants. Are seed oils bad? 'Linoleic acid is found mainly in vegetable oils that are used in cooking and are ingredients in many food products. Recently, there has been a great deal of controversy surrounding 'seed oils' such as corn oil and soybean oil. Some have claimed that these seed oils, which are rich in linoleic acid, cause inflammation.' — Kevin C. Maki, PhD 'The level of linoleic acid in the blood is influenced by how much is consumed in the diet — higher intake leading to a higher level in the blood,' Maki continued. 'We were interested in looking at the level of linoleic acid in the blood to see if it would be associated with cardiometabolic risk factors, specifically biomarkers of inflammation and blood glucose (sugar) regulation.' Upon analysis, Maki and his team found that study participants with a higher concentration of linoleic acid in their blood serum were linked to lower levels of the inflammation biomarkers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and glycoprotein acetyls. 'Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases,' Maki explained. 'In particular, many studies have shown that a higher level of C-reactive protein is associated with increased risks for heart attack and stroke. There are also studies showing that drugs that reduce inflammation lower risks for heart attack and stroke.' Are omega-6 fatty acids inflammatory? 'Our findings do not support the view that higher linoleic acid intake is associated with more inflammation. In fact, they are more consistent with the opposite view because higher linoleic acid was associated with lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers.' — Kevin C. Maki, PhD 'Some caution is needed because this was not an intervention study, so we cannot say that this association is cause and effect,' Maki added. 'We can only say that we found the opposite of what would be predicted if linoleic acid was having a pro-inflammatory effect.' Additionally, researchers found these same participants with more linoleic acid in their serum also experienced more favorable levels of BMI and biomarkers of glucose homeostasis, or even blood sugar levels. 'Higher BMI, along with higher fasting levels of glucose and insulin are risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have shown that a higher circulating level of linoleic acid is associated with lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Our results are consistent with those, since they show lower levels of risk factors for type 2 diabetes in those with higher levels of linoleic acid in the blood.' — Kevin C. Maki, PhD 'While we have to be cautious about interpretation of the results, our findings are consistent with favorable effects of linoleic acid consumption on cardiometabolic risk factors and not with unfavorable effects, as has been claimed by some online influencers,' Maki said. 'Intervention studies will be needed to further investigate the influence of changing intake of linoleic acid on the risk factors we studied,' he added. MNT had the opportunity to speak with Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, about these studies. 'This research found that increased blood levels of linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) were associated with lower blood glucose levels and lower levels of inflammatory markers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and glycoprotein acetyls,' Chen commented. 'These findings are in line with our understanding of linoleic acid — found in vegetable oil, nuts, and seeds — as likely being beneficial to cardiometabolic health.' 'Heart disease continues to be one of the major disease burdens in our society. Lifestyle modifications such as diet improvements are essential in helping us improve cardiometabolic health in our patients and are a necessary part of improving health outcomes,' he said. 'Future research should prospectively study the impact of increased linoleic intake in the diet on the development of cardiovascular disease,' he added. For readers who are now thinking about increasing their linoleic acid intake to possibly improve their cardiometabolic health, Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight, urged them to remember that the biomarkers measured in the studies are influenced by a variety of factors and nutrition science is complex. Why nutrition is more than one 'magic' ingredient 'Nutrition science is rarely about one nutrient in isolation — context is everything. Nutrition is about patterns, not just parts. Linoleic acid is an essential omega-6 fatty acid, and like all nutrients, its benefit depends on the company it keeps. Foods that naturally contain linoleic acid — like sunflower seeds, walnuts, tofu, eggs, and fish — come packaged with fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals, not just isolated fats.' — Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN 'Consider linoleic and other fatty acids to be an accessory or an assistant in helping bring out the food's flavor, such as in a saute, marinade, sauce, or a vehicle to add spice, herbs, or enhance mouthfeel and moisture,' she continued. 'Chronic low-grade inflammation can be exacerbated from poor dietary sources of linoleic acid, so those that have conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome do need to be aware of overall patterns, quality of ingredients, and amounts,' Richard added. Omega-3 vs. omega-6 ratio important 'It is important to note the necessary and optimal balance of the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (is) something a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can assist in assessing.' — Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN Diabetes Type 2 Heart Disease Cardiovascular / Cardiology Nutrition / Diet
